Just after 7 p.m. Wednesday, rescue crews with the Anne Arundel County Fire Department were called to Sillery Bay, an estuary of the Magothy River just west of Gibson Island, where they found two boats that had collided.

"There were two boats headed kind of towards one another, and they ran into one another. Both were traveling at high speeds," Maryland Natural Resources Police Capt. Jerry Kirkwood said.

Seven people were on board an 18-foot Bayliner, including four children, two of whom had been tubing in the back of the boat. Fire officials said the children and one adult were hurt.

Dwyer was on a 26-foot Baja vessel named The Legislator, officials said. His passenger was later identified as University of Maryland, Baltimore County, police Officer John Moran, who was off duty at the time.

Fire officials said one injured man was taken to Shock Trauma, and another was taken to Baltimore-Washington Medical Center. Two other adults refused treatment.

Three of the children, who were between the ages of 5 and 12, were taken to Johns Hopkins Children's Center. The fourth child was treated at the Hopkins emergency room, officials said.

Dwyer's aide said the lawmaker was taken to Shock Trauma, where he was treated for injuries and released Thursday night.

All are expected to survive their injuries, which mostly consisted of bumps, bruises and broken bones, officials said.

Sources told 11 News that investigators are checking into the tab at an Eastern shore bar where Dwyer and Moran were seen drinking before the crash.

Dwyer admits to drinking, driving boat

With a neck brace and a cast on his foot, Dwyer, who was wheeled out of Shock Trauma Thursday afternoon, read a statement to the media, saying, "It is true that I was drinking while operating the boat, and for this I am deeply sorry and regret my actions. My blood-alcohol level was 0.2 (percent), and no one should be driving a boat while drinking. I deeply regret my actions and seek your forgiveness."

He continued, "My heart and prayers go out to the family that was involved in the accident, and I pray that everyone recovers quickly."

Dwyer refused to answer questions but did urge people not to drink and drive, either on the road or on the water.

Meanwhile, UMBC said Moran will not face any disciplinary action.

Witnesses: Boats were traveling fast

Nearby residents scrambled to help the injured. Witnesses said they couldn't believe what they were seeing.

"The water was so calm. I'm wondering how this could have happened," said resident Allen Woytowitz, who was standing on a pier by his home when the crash happened. "One boat was coming at a higher rate of speed in toward the creek, and the other boat was toting a child in a tube. They seemed to be approaching each other pretty quickly, and I was thinking, 'Why isn't somebody turning one way or the other?'"

One witness observed the Bayliner trying to get out of the way of Dwyer's vessel.

Theresa Taylor's stepson, Nicholas, was on board.

"The one boat that was coming in -- the boat that was tubing with all the kids on it -- he apparently tried to avoid the boat that was coming in, and then suddenly this boat turned right into the other boat," Taylor said.

Residents said the boats collided near a red channel marker.

"It was a terrible noise. It was like a bomb to me. I didn't know what it was at first," witness Janet Bernkey said.

Woytowitz said that after the collision, the faster boat veered to the right and went to a shallow area to beach itself. He said it seemed to be taking on water.

Residents used their own boats to help rescue those who were injured.

"All indications are that Good Samaritans saw this, heard this happen, went right to it and pulled all nine victims out of the water and took them to shore," Kirkwood said.

Maryland Natural Resources Police said they will handle the investigation.

"First and foremost our thoughts are with those injured in this accident and we continue to pray for their recovery. While we appreciate Delegate Dwyer’s frankness in his statements, we are troubled by these circumstances. This situation shows once again that no one is immune to the dangers of operating any type of vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. We will refrain from any further comments on this ongoing investigation and allow the Department of Natural Resources officers to do their job as the legal process moves forward."

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